I see it as a problem created by social media - which Medium really is, more than anything.

Longform Facebook and Twitter.

Opinion masquerading as something other. Clickbait controversy, aka "engagement", getting the big payoff.

The beauty and the beast of having no gatekeepers—everyone is now a "writer".

It has become the current American fantasy — to be an influencer, famous, and make money on ego satisfaction. Writing just turns out to be a tool for those goals. Look at me—it all screams. This is what Trump, Musk, Rogan, et al are all about.

I should turn this opinion into an article and make money on it.